This unit relates to management-level jobs in any work context within the cultural industries. It is particularly applicable to managers of small businesses or business units or departments within larger organisations. Examples of how this unit works in practice can be found in the Supporting Information section of the Training Package.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Implement work practices and procedures to support innovation

1.1. Working conditions are established which encourage the application of innovation in the workplace.

1.2. Processes are implemented to maximise the use of innovation @ workskills.

1.3. Workplace procedures are introduced and maintained to foster the of innovation in the workplace.

1.4. Collaborative work arrangements are facilitated to foster innovation.

2. Implement management practices to support innovation

2.1. The development of new ideas is actively supported and guided.

2.2. All ideas are positively received and constructive advice provided.

2.3. Relationships based on mutual respect and trust are established and maintained between management and staff.

2.4. Innovative work practice is exemplified in the way management approaches work and team responsibilities.

3. Promote innovation in the workplace

3.1. Staff's suggestions, improvements and innovations are acknowledged.

3.2. Innovation is celebrated and promoted by appropriate means.

3.3. The value placed by management on innovation is promoted and reinforced, in spite of the potential risks.

4. Create a physical environment which supports innovation

4.1. The physical environment is decorated to maximise creativity.

4.2. Workspaces are designed to encourage the cross fertilisation of ideas as well as the application of innovation @ work skills.

4.3. The workspace is designed to provide for the development of relationships between all members of the workforce within organisations in the cultural industries.

5. Provide information and learning opportunities to foster innovation

5.1. Relevant information, knowledge and skills are shared within the organisation.

5.2. Formal learning opportunities are provided to help develop skills needed for innovation in the workplace.

5.3. Active learning opportunities are created in which managers and staff can learn from the experience of others.

Required skills

interpersonal skills

leadership skills

encouraging supporting employees' achievements (on the use of innovation @ work skills)

accessing interpreting and sharing information

researching information

freely discussing ideas and providing feedback.

Required knowledge

an understanding of innovation @ work skills

an understanding of basic management principles

a knowledge of the ways workplace climate can affect employees' attitudes and performance

an understanding of the benefits of coaching and learning opportunities for employees

occupational health and safety requirements

knowledge of factors that can motivate staff to apply innovative work practices

knowledge of ways of rewarding performance in the workplace.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

knowledge and application of procedures and practices which support and foster innovative work practice within a specific work context in the cultural industries; for example:

management practices

work practices

procedures

office layout

project management approaches.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

access to a real or simulated work environment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment method is appropriate for this unit:

direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate

direct observation of the candidate applying procedures and practices to support and foster innovative work practice

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of innovation @ work skills and methods for applying them to the work environment.

Guidance information for assessment

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other relevant management units from the cultural industries training packages within a specific context in any sector of the cultural industries.

Standards may include:

CUVADM05B Plan and develop information management systems

CUVADM01B Develop and implement arts administration systems and procedures

Please note: the above is a generic list which may apply across the cultural industries. Some of the units may not be included in this particular Training Package.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Working conditions might include:

family-friendly leave entitlements

flexible working hours

social leave

study leave

time provided for coming up with ideas.

Innovation is:

the process of creating a new idea or the new use of an old idea and developing it so it results in improvement.

innovation @ workskills include:

interpretation

ideas generation

collaboration

reflection

representation

evaluation.

Workplace procedures might include those relating to:

briefing processes

client relations

performance management

project management

staff meetings

training.

Processes that encourage the of innovation @ work skills include a structured approach to activities which foster ideas, such as:

collaborating

collecting data

creative thinking

future scanning

getting feedback

making suggestions

networking.

All types of work activities could benefit from the of innovation, including the development of new:

processes

products

programs

services

tools

work practices.

Collaborative work arrangements could include:

working in teams or partnerships, on specific projects within:

a section

a cross section

vertical teams

working with supplier organisations or partner organisations.

Appropriate ways of celebrating and promoting successful ideas might include:

congratulating the project team

ensuring management acknowledgment

providing a newsletter story about the idea

using the idea to help foster other ideas

well-planned group incentive schemes.

The physical environment might include:

eating areas

external areas

relaxation areas

the location of different sections

workspace design and décor

workstation arrangements.

Information might include:

information about other activities within the organisation

information from other parts of the organisation

organisational knowledge

policies

reports.

Methods for reflection and review might include:

building review into project schedules

less formal review of work procedures

staff meetings

systematic collection of data.

Learning opportunities might include:

coaching

conferences

formal training or education

informal training

information seminars

job rotation

mentoring

online learning.

Unit sector

Research and Innovation

This unit contains employability skills.